John Robert Briggs, age 79 of Mt. Airy, Georgia is healed and in the arms of Jesus. John passed away December 20th due to an extended illness. Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, John managed his illness with strength, dignity, and grace, and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible. On his last days, John was surrounded by his loving wife, daughters, sons-in-law, grandsons, identical twin brother, and grand dogs who adored him more than anything else in the world.
Born in Cornelia, Georgia on August 25, 1942, he was the son of the late PY and Catherine Briggs. For much of his life, John grew up in Habersham County. Johnny, as his friends and family called him, was a Veteran of the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. He retired from the United States Postal Service in Gainesville, Georgia after over 32 years of service, where he was loved by everyone on his mail route.
Johnny enjoyed sharing his love for Jesus Christ with others as well as spending time with his family and watching the Atlanta Braves and The University of Georgia Football with his grandsons. He loved fishing and spending time at the beach with his beloved wife Sandra. Johnny was a deacon and member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church of Demorest Georgia. Everyone who knew Johnny knew that in addition to always being on top of things, he was extremely kind and generous.
John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sandra Loudermilk Briggs, and their two daughters and sons-in-law; Kelly and Mitch Williams, Cleveland, GA, Michelle and Keith Howell, Braselton, GA; mother in law Elizabeth Loudermilk of Mt. Airy, grandchildren Matthew Chitwood, Cleveland, Jonathan & Peyton Howell, Braselton; identical twin brother Jimmy Briggs (Brenda), Waterloo, SC, sisters in law; Barbara Dalton of Mt. Airy, Joy Wilbanks (Marshal) of Toccoa and Gail Asato of Aiea, HI, brother in law Jerry Loudermilk (Shirley) of Cornelia, grand dogs, Sophie and Georgia, as well as a large extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, PY and Catherine Briggs as well as his brother, Glenn Briggs.
The family would like to thank the hospice team who became like family while Johnny was under hospice care. The team included Beth, Alan, Bobbie, Judy, Heather, and Selena.
Join us in celebrating a life well lived. A visitation is planned for Wednesday, December 22, 2021, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Hillside Memorial Chapel. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Rev. Josh Taylor, Rev. Terry Rice and Dr. Charles Holland will officiate with interment to follow the service in Yonah Memorial Gardens.
An online guest book is available for the family by visiting www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.
Funeral arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256
